I think I'll keep wearing my mask when the pandemic is over

Full face all the time. Pulling into my parents driveway there's a small gravel strip between the road and driveway. Pulled in just idling 2nd gear maybe 10mph. Whaaam! Front washed out bike instantly on its side. My left side helmet looked like someone took a sledge to it. Textile jacket tore on shoulder to the pad. So for me atgatt.
 
The owner of a BMW dealership in FL was killed just pulling a bike from the front to the back of the dealership - or vice versa. Low speed tip over with no helmet.

I missed a gear on my road bike, lost balance and went headfirst into a guardrail at walking speed. My bicycle helmet - also yellow - helped me avoid a concussion - or worse.
 
JOhnH said:
My apologies. It's not that I confused you with someone else, but rather that I lumped you in with all the other replies. I started a thread about how a mask can keep bugs out of your nose and mouth and it quickly devolved into a "gotta wear a full coverage helmet or you are going to die" rant. Your part was that you said a full coverage helmet probably saved your life, and from what you say, that is probably a 100% true statement. I took that as you confirming that I too needed to wear a full coverage helmet. Sorry that I took you wrong.

As for me saying you were driving like and idiot; that was probably too strong. But you were driving in a manner that I never would. There are some risks I will take and some I won't.
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No offense taken. I really don't care what gear measures other people take. I've heard people use the argument "your failure to wear a helmet/jacket/etc... raises my insurance rates" and it drives me nuts. I don't ride as fast as I used to these days, but to be honest I don't even currently have a motorcycle right now. I've sort of become spoiled having heating, air conditioning, radio, and lots of space to stow gear in the car. I ride the bicycle enough that I don't have time for other forms of two wheeled transportation. I replaced the RT with a Concours C14, and I just eventually got bored with it. Plus, it was heavy, and top heavy. Riding it was a lot like work. I actually have more fun tooling around on a scooter (Honda Wave 125 cc, modern version of the Passport) than I do on a full size motorcycle.

That same curve I wrecked the RT at 110 on, I've done 130 on the GSXR. The fastest I've gone in a straight line is 170.
 
Sac Arrow said:
No offense taken. I really don't care what gear measures other people take. I've heard people use the argument "your failure to wear a helmet/jacket/etc... raises my insurance rates" and it drives me nuts. I don't ride as fast as I used to these days, but to be honest I don't even currently have a motorcycle right now. I've sort of become spoiled having heating, air conditioning, radio, and lots of space to stow gear in the car. I ride the bicycle enough that I don't have time for other forms of two wheeled transportation. I replaced the RT with a Concours C14, and I just eventually got bored with it. Plus, it was heavy, and top heavy. Riding it was a lot like work. I actually have more fun tooling around on a scooter (Honda Wave 125 cc, modern version of the Passport) than I do on a full size motorcycle.

That same curve I wrecked the RT at 110 on, I've done 130 on the GSXR. The fastest I've gone in a straight line is 170.
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Agreed. Do the injuries of non-helmeted riders raise my insurance rates? Probably, maybe not, I'm not an insurance underwriter so I don't know. But I am almost 100% sure that if helmet laws became mandatory, the insurance company will not lower my rates...they like their money. I try not to let it bother me too much. I think most riders are aware of how fragile a skull is and what asphalt (or even worse, gravel) does to skin if the two come in contact at high speed, so if they want to accept the risk, have at it.

I am in a similar situation with my bike. Used to ride an RT and loved it. That is the epitome of a sport tourer; well capable of 700 mile days AND embarrassing many sport bike riders in the twisties. I eventually slowed down to a 1200GS and I like it, but it's just not the same. I used to commute to work daily on a bike, mostly because the FJ got 15 mpg and the bike got 42. Now I have a plug-in hybrid that averages 80mpg for my commute, has AC and heat, and is quite comfy. Riding the bike becomes hard to justify. I'm probably looking to sell the GS soon, and put the money towards an airplane...on to the next money pit/hobby.

Edit to add: And to the original topic, I also intend to keep wearing my mask, but it's because I look better in one.
 
Also to drift back slightly towards the original topic...

Since I mentioned Aerostich recently, I have long worn one of their “triangles” while riding. They’re nylon on the “outside” and fleece on the “inside” and attach with Velcro. Good for keeping a little warmer in the winter, keeping sun off my neck and in the summer can be wetted for evaporative cooling*.

In the days of COVID, I find it’s my go-to mask as well:

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Works well and very comfortable and I think the two disparate layers would be fairly effective keeping the virus at bay. Has so far.


*There is also something designed for that express purpose, called an Evap-O-Danna. Keeping my neck cool in the heat of the summer helps cool my brain. And, I agree with Woody Allen: It’s my second-favorite organ!
 
Bill said:
That's me taking the pic in my Hi-Vis Darien, and my friend Alan on his GS in the mirror, Klim jacket with hi-vis highlights.

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That would be great if we can coordinate. I can show you the dragon and a WHOLE lot more, the area is chock full of great roads.
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Again, I have rented a house with a big yard and a trout stream in Robbinsville, NC May 19-24. All are welcome.
 
You know what?....a guy could rob a bank with that setup. Lol :D:D
FastEddieB said:
Also to drift back slightly towards the original topic...

Since I mentioned Aerostich recently, I have long worn one of their “triangles” while riding. They’re nylon on the “outside” and fleece on the “inside” and attach with Velcro. Good for keeping a little warmer in the winter, keeping sun off my neck and in the summer can be wetted for evaporative cooling*.

In the days of COVID, I find it’s my go-to mask as well:

50680379532_c899c8670f_z.jpg


Works well and very comfortable and I think the two disparate layers would be fairly effective keeping the virus at bay. Has so far.


*There is also something designed for that express purpose, called an Evap-O-Danna. Keeping my neck cool in the heat of the summer helps cool my brain. And, I agree with Woody Allen: It’s my second-favorite organ!
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Morgan3820 said:
Again, I have rented a house with a big yard and a trout stream in Robbinsville, NC May 19-24. All are welcome.
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Have it on my calendar, a reminder to pop up a few days earlier.
 
DaleB said:
I used to have an open face helmet. A fellow rider asked me... "Why only that? You're a decent enough looking guy, don't you like that face?" After giving it some thought... I wear a full face helmet now. Except on the Vespa. Gotta draw the line somewhere.
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I wear a full-face Arai Corsair racing helmet on my scooter :). Although this is more due to me already having it and not wanting to buy something specifically for the scooter.
 
upload_2020-12-7_15-49-40.jpeg upload_2020-12-7_15-50-25.jpeg All this talk of scooters is very near my latest moto lust. For some reason, I’m really jonesing for a Monkey!

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I'll keep wearing a mask so I can mouth curse worse at strangers that don't know how the checkout lane is supposed to work.
 
One advantage of the mask is that I don't have to shave as often
 
Ted said:
I just bought a Harley Davidson full face helmet (on clearance because nobody besides us who rides Harleys wears full face helmets). I’ve previously had Nolan N100 helmets (flip face). I find the Harley helmet to be noticeably more restrictive in vision than the Norlans were.
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You’re not alone. I wore a full face helmet on my Harley every time I rode.
 
FastEddieB said:
Nostalgia is a great word for the feelings I get riding my TW200. My first bike was 80cc, followed by several 250’s. All great fun.
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The Monkee is just a barrel of fun to ride. The Grom brings out the hooligan. As stated earlier, it’s way more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.

I’d love to find an early 70s Honda SL 70 to restore, as that was my first bike.
 
I rode when I was in college. Always wore a helmet. Yeah, we had a helmet law in the state of Washington. I knew 4 people who needed helmets. limited sample, but 100% correlation. 3 had them and are alive today (my wife and I included). 1 didn't and he died at the scene. Again, limited sample but 100% correlation. I don't like helmet laws. It's the government protecting you from yourself. That said, anyone who rides without a helmet should have his head examined, while he still has a head to examine. They really can save your live. I had a line of curb paint on mine from the third summersault off the bike when the clown hit our bike broadside after he ran a stop sign. I know it saved me.

Oh, and we were riding a Honda CL-175. Not enough power to get out of the way of that clown. Thank goodness he was driving a 1969 Ford Mustang instead of our 1954 Buick Special. If he had been driving that Buick he would have killed us. As it was you could see in his bumper where our legs had been.
 
Late to the post so apologies if im redundant. It is impossible to wear ATGATT in SOFLA. Climate change has made deep summer (JUN JUL AUG SEPT) insufferable. Its like WI MN ME ND in the deep winter. I just don’t go outdoors much anymore during those months. You risk heat stroke, seriously. Sooooooo......I sold my FL bike and only ride in CO around Durango. Great weather, great roads, minimal traffic and considerate drivers.
Oh, forgot to mention the invasion from the woke-broke blue states. The absolute worst, rudest, most aggressive, unprofessional, dangerous, stupidest morons-behind-the-wheel on the planet are now present in droves in SOFLA. Add supreme congestion, crappy roads and ridiculous streetlight timing and you end up with ........nightmare.
Lived here most of my life and the water, weather (for 7 mo out of the year) and laisez faire lifestyle are outstanding. But the word got out and it’s now the 6th borough of NY. The only state in the union where you have to drive north to go south. Gotta get the hell out of here but my main squeeze doesn’t get it. Paralysis by analysis.
Meanwhile: watching real-estate values climbing, strummin the six-sting, flip-flops/shorts/tank top wardrobe, semi retired, GO Dolphins, Heat, Panthers & Marlins!! Haven’t read a newspaper since the “election”! Wooohooooo! Bring on the Stone Crabs!! $28.00/lb for Large Claws!
40W is paid off, 10 gph @ 65% TAS 135 kts at 6,500 ft and 100LL at $3.18/gal!

I AM IN PARADISE!!
 
JOhnH said:
See, that's part of my argument against helmets. They give you a false sense of security. If you don't have a helmet you ride "gingerly". If you do wear a helmet, you (and I mean the generic "you", not you personally), take unnecessary risks. I always ride my little scooter gingerly. I can't imagine going through an intersection without looking for someone about to run a red light any more than looking both ways when I cross an intersecting runway, even if that runway is inactive.
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Nice straw man argument... A helmet won't protect him when a meteor lands on him either.
 
UngaWunga said:
Nice straw man argument..
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Not necessarily. The concept is called “Risk Homeostasis”.

For instance, if a driver has 4WD, he or she is certainly more likely to tackle gnarlier roads, and hence their risk of getting stuck somewhere is likely to end up being about the same as a driver with 2WD. The pilot of a plane with a ballistic parachute may embark on flights they might otherwise not have initiated. That sort of thing.

But I agree that this is not a valid argument against wearing a helmet.
 
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I would really be cool with no helmet laws if the rider agreed that not wearing his helmet was implied consent to forego medical treatment in the event of a crash. We pay for all this stuff in lots of ways.
 
Noticed this morning that my buff kept my nose warm on my bike (bicycle) ride. Not sure it does much else, except keeping me from getting dirty looks when I ride past someone at less than 6 ft.
 
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